In the heat of the moment, someone I'm very close to who is also an Atheist, inferred that I was somehow a lesser Atheist due to the fact that I have never fully adopted a religion in my life. I'm grateful that I haven't gone through the same experiences that a lot of Atheists have with having to leave a religion but I don't feel that my acceptance of Atheism as something other than just my default position was any less liberating or enlightening. I have had to deal with the loss of friends and family as a result of outing myself, just has many deconverters have.

My parents were quiet about their beliefs. I was never forced to go to church. As a child I went to two separate churches briefly, primarily to socialize. I got my Awanas card, memorized passages and honestly couldn't have cared less about the program. I dismissed all the teachings right away because, even as a 10 year old, it all seemed very silly to me. As a teen I thought about god a lot, what it might be, if it could be real. The closest I ever got to believing in anything of the sort would have been a mild case of pantheism. By 18 I was "non-religious" and by 20 I was using the label "Atheist". At 23 I was starting a local Atheist group.

Does this make me a "lesser " Atheist? Have anyone here experienced a similar path?

(15-10-2013 08:38 AM)Yveylise Wrote: In the heat of the moment, someone I'm very close to who is also an Atheist, inferred that I was somehow a lesser Atheist due to the fact that I have never fully adopted a religion in my life. I'm grateful that I haven't gone through the same experiences that a lot of Atheists have with having to leave a religion but I don't feel that my acceptance of Atheism as something other than just my default position was any less liberating or enlightening. I have had to deal with the loss of friends and family as a result of outing myself, just has many deconverters have.

My parents were quiet about their beliefs. I was never forced to go to church. As a child I went to two separate churches briefly, primarily to socialize. I got my Awanas card, memorized passages and honestly couldn't have cared less about the program. I dismissed all the teachings right away because, even as a 10 year old, it all seemed very silly to me. As a teen I thought about god a lot, what it might be, if it could be real. The closest I ever got to believing in anything of the sort would have been a mild case of pantheism. By 18 I was "non-religious" and by 20 I was using the label "Atheist". At 23 I was starting a local Atheist group.

Does this make me a "lesser " Atheist? Have anyone here experienced a similar path?

-A

I have never been religious. No horredous stories of relgious abuse. I do not think that makes me less of an Atheist. Welcome aboard, perhaps one of my favorite quotes from Hunter S. Thompson would help here. "Take no guff from these swine"

" Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous."
David Hume

It's the same argument as ...
You can't be a 'great' artiste unless you have suffered.

It reminded me of the Britpop wars a few years back with Oasis claiming that Blur aren't real musicians because they went to art school (rather than, presumably, no school and working the mines from the age of four).
Or words to that effect.

It's a childish stance regarding 'cred'.

But it's also an insult because you are (and your contribution is) being devalued.

Ask your friend what kind of atheists he/she would like see in 100 years from now... those who just are atheists or those who are still having to struggle against tyranny and bigotry?

It sounds like the person calling you a "lesser atheist" has some insecurities to deal with. Why else call you "lesser" except to feel they they are in some way "greater"? The only degrees of atheism are gnostic and agnostic. Neither have anything to do with prior religious background.

While it may be true that it takes the indoctrinated a lot more work and effort to break themselves free and they may continue to pay the cost of their indoctrination for much of their life, that suffering in no way lessons how awesome your parents were - and the ease in which you were able to find the same path speaks volumes about their character.

Since we aren't christians, we don't believe in punishing children for the acts of their parents. Tell him to quit being so fucking christian.

Don't sell yourself short Judge, you're an incredible slouch.

Martin Luther was the "father" of two movements - The Reformation and Nazism.